We are happy to announce that Secondhand Hearts has been selected to premiere at the 17th Annual Phoenix Film Festival! It will be a part of the U.S Competition showing April 7-9, 2017!

The Phoenix Film Festival has been named one of The 25 Coolest Film Festivals and a Top 50 Worth the Entry Fee by MovieMaker Magazine and has been called the most filmmaker-friendly festival out there. Needless to say, we're really, really excited to be a part of their program.

It had been almost eight years since I had graduated from high school, and I hadn’t kept in touch with many of my classmates. Although, in January I reestablished contact with an old acquaintance, Austin Everett. The subject at hand, his movie, Secondhand Hearts. After a few brief Facebook messages we decided to meet at Cheesecake Factory, which turned into a two and a half hour discussion about movies, life after high school, social media, and more particularly his film and his future career.

Over the next few months I would have the opportunity to sit down with Austin a few more times to discuss the movie, his own personal social media use, and ways that I thought he could help bolster himself on different platforms. During these meetings it was apparent the love and passion that he had for film, and for the ability to tell stories through movies. He spoke of the industry with such intrigue and detail, where I saw a movie, Austin saw an intricate work of art with many moving pieces, with excellent chemistry bringing that movie to the big screen.

Fast forward six months from our first sit-down and I managed to make my way on set of the small budgeted independent film. In mere moments of walking in the door, I realized that this did not fit my preconceived notion of what an independent film set would look like. The level of organization, preparation, and professionalism that I experienced were leagues above what I was expecting. As I found my away to a quiet corner of the kitchen, it appeared that I was witnessing a well-oiled machine, and the pieces working independently of each other had perfect cohesion when brought together.

After about forty-five minutes, the scene had wrapped, Austin came over and welcomed me to the set and introduced me to a few of the cast and crew, and we briefly chatted about how things were going, and then he was off doing director things. I made my way to the basement (as these scenes were being filmed in a house) and met the Producer, Connie, and we caught up on some logistical pieces of information and discussed the movie, it was clear that she was busy and stressed, but loving every minute of the process. On our way out of her office, which was a bedroom in the basement, I walked by members of the cast that were laughing and talking and enjoying their time on set. That would be a recurring theme that I would see throughout the five or six visits I would make to the set, everyone was enjoying their time, the people that had been chosen to fill the roles, both on and off the camera, love what they do, and enjoy doing it.

Secondhand Hearts may be a love story in the script, but what I saw was a cast and crew who had a love for making movies with confidence in the script and in each other. This movie won’t bring in millions at the box office on opening weekend, but it will have changed each and every member who were a part of it forever.

We have officially finished filming part II of Secondhand Hearts. We are now onto the editing portion, and our next major step is festival submission. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or check back here for more updates, pictures, and other SHH goodness! Thank you for all the love and support so far. We could not make this film without our Kickstarter backers, donors, fans, background actors, crew members, and cast.

It's been quite the journey, and every hurdle and step has been worth it.

Spotlight Series: Cooper Epps, Grip/Electric

Cooper Epps. Grip, electric, and shark tamer.

Cooper Epps is a BYU student and professional video editor who has worked grip, electric, and camera on various film projects and commercials. He says his favorite part on set so far has been "being so surprised at all the plot twists. Which was my own fault...but I loved it...CRAZY STUFF AM I RIGHT." Quite. Cooper's future plans include rocking the BYU advertising program and working to inspire positive social change through his ~skills~. Cooper says that Secondhand Hearts "was easily the coolest project I've had the chance to [work on]. I'm stoked to see the finished product, and I can't wait to help finish filming!" We can't either! Thanks for being part of the Secondhand Hearts family, Cooper!

Spotlight Series: Lane Russell, Camera Operator

Lane Russell as Secondhand Hearts Camera Op

Secondhand Heart's Lane Russell has worked as a Director, DP, and Camera Op in the film industry for about 6 years now. As to how he got involved with Secondhand Hearts, Lane says, "as with the rest of the cast and crew, there was never a linear moment in time when I got involved with Secondhand Hearts. Instead, it has simply always been a part of me; and I a part of it." Deep. Lane says his favorite moment on set so far was when "I insisted that I operate the Movi shot since I was the camera operator. But then, after one take, I gave it to Casey because my back hurt. It wasn't the weight of the camera that hurt my back, but rather the weight of Casey's disapproval of my shot." As for his future plans, Lane runs a small commercial production company, and hopes to continue making a living directing commercials. He has also been working on a Sci-fi feature for about 3 years that he hopes to eventually direct. Lane also wanted to add--plug your ears, Jericho--that, "the cast of this movie is fantastic. All of them are great people and such talented actors. It was a treat to work with them on set. Except for Jericho. He's the worst." Oh, Lane. We're so glad you're part of this movie with us. If only to keep Jericho in his place.

119 people came together to back us $2000 OVER our initial goal. Thank you so much for all of your love and support. We literally could not make this film without you--YOU are bringing this film to life!

Win a free trip to Hawaii!* You can do this with two easy steps:

2) Share our Kickstarter link our giveaway picture that's already posted on all of our social media sights. Share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram--or all of the above, if you're feeling ambitious. Use the hashtag #secondhandheartsgiveaway.

And that's it! If the Kickstarter is successfully funded, we will announce the winners on December 31st!

*The trip includes airfare for one person, lodging for 3 nights in Waikiki, and a personal tour of O'ahu with Director Austin Everett.

**If you've already backed us with $25 or more but still want to enter this giveaway, have no fear! Simply share our kickstarter link (or our giveaway image already posted on all of our social media sites).

FINE PRINT: Must fly from within the US to be eligible. If already located in Hawaii, arrangements to the Utah premiere in August 2016 can be provided in exchange. This reward is only available if the Kickstarter is successfully funded.

Spotlight Series: Ben Isaacs, Lead Actor

Ben Isaacs, who plays Ben in Secondhand Hearts.

A graduate from BYU with a BFA in Music Dance Theater, Ben Isaacs plays the leading role of Ben in Secondhand Hearts. Ben's favorite film roles include Tristan in Boy With Blueand Fork in Waffle Street. Recent stage credits in Macbeth in Macbeth, John Proctor in The Crucible, and The Common Man in A Man For All Seasons. Ben says he got involved with Secondhand Hearts over two years ago when Austin approached him about the script he has been working on. Fun fact: according to Director Austin Everett, the role of Ben in the movie was partially inspired by our very own real-life Ben. Do you think we've said "Ben" enough in this spotlight so far? Ben says his favorite moment on set was shooting in the bedroom in Osaka, Japan. "I really felt like those scenes were so organic and true," he says. Ben's future plans include being a professional actor and eventually going to grad school. Most importantly, he plans to eat lots of french fries and burgers along the way. Ben enjoys hiking, rock climbing, playing guitar, and gaming. It's been an honor to have Ben--real-life Ben and pretend Ben--as part of the Secondhand Hearts family.

Spotlight Series: Mallory Corinne, Lead Actress

Mallory Corinne, who plays Emily in Secondhand Hearts.

Next in our spotlight series is leading lady Mallory Corinne, who plays Emily in Secondhand Hearts. A graduate of the BFA Acting Program at Brigham Young University, Mallory's favorite film roles include Eleanor in Us and Meg in Roadkill. Stage credits include Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Elizabeth in The Crucible, and Margaret in A Man for All Seasons. Mallory got involved with Secondhand Hearts from working with Director Austin Everett in the past and remaining great friends. She says her favorite moment on set was during shooting in Japan. "Being on set in Japan was a dream. I think my favorite moment was when we were filming in Fushimi Inari and a very kind local made us tea and encouraged us to pray for the success of the film at the shrine in front of his home. The people of Japan were all so gracious and accommodating at every turn." Mallory, who enjoys eating good food, rock climbing, hiking, and listening to vinyl, has plans to continue working as an actress in NYC, eventually getting an MFA in Acting, and possibly making the move out to Los Angeles.

Spotlight Series: Lead Actress, Allie Rae Treharne

Allie Rae Treharne, who plays Jamie in Secondhand Hearts

Next up in our spotlight series is actress Allie Rae Treharne. Allie Rae's favorite film roles include Jamie in Secondhand Hearts, Devin in Being Charlie dir. by Rob Reiner, and Sarah in Simple Gifts of Christmas. Favorite stage roles include Brooke/Vickie in Noises Off! and Mildred Pringle in Kiss & Tell. Allie Rae got involved in Secondhand Hearts when fellow actor Jericho Lopez secretly emailed her the script, even though he wasn't supposed to, which she read, even though she wasn't supposed to, and after it made her cry, she emailed director Austin Everett and wrote, "I WANT TO PLAY JAMIE." Luckily Austin eventually got over the surprise that his own script was secretly being sent around behind his back and it all worked out in the end. Allie Rae's favorite moment on set was anytime she was able to observe her fellow actors being masters of their craft and learn from them. Allie Rae's future plans include continuing the weird journey that is acting and seeing where it takes her, with an emphasis in film work.